Significantly up 2015 over 14(ie over 25%)
Slightly up 2016 over 15 (ie under 25%) - Peak year
Down to 2014 sales in 2017
2018 crash and launch of successor.

2014 unless the price cut is more tha $50.

All those small games do not compete with Mario Kart and Smash when it comes to selling consoles.

This will never happen, Nintendo systems don't peak that late (last gen Wii peaked in third year, PS360 in their 6th I think.

2015 has many more games, including Zelda which will push consoles, and Splatoon, which I think Nintendo is going to heavily market and push to become a new Mario Kart. Then X, Star Fox, etc which will round it out nicely. Plus Christmas will no doubt see some big amiibo title.

Basically I think 2015 is where the Wii U will hit its stride. Smash and MK8 have (finally) given it some momentum and if they keep the release schedule up next year, it should maintain a reasonable level of sales.

2016, therefore, will be coming out of a good year, with some good press behind it.

Games I think we are likely to see in 2016 will be Metroid, 3D Mario, and possibly that rumoured Diddy Kong. Plus SMTxFE, possibly F Zero, maybe even an Animal Crossing.

That, with the back catalogue including MK8, Smash, Zelda and Splatoon, plus no doubt a much lower price will give it its peak.

2017 will then see it's successor announced, a few obscure titles, and a fall in sales to people buying it as a Fisher Price My First Game Console.

2018 it'll bottom out completely.

I don't think the Wii U is following the usual Nintendo sales trajectory. That first year was so bad it may as well not have happened. Which would make 2016 year 3. However, I think the drop off is going to be dramatic after Nintendo announces its next console.

Will be up. Before I actually this holiday would be the Wii U's biggest, I may have to change that prediction.


I could quite easily see Zelda Wii U, Star Fox and Animal Crossing being their holiday 2015 line up alongside a price cut. I think that quarter will be the Wii U's lifetime peak.